Ireland draft in more goalkeepers

The Republic of Ireland have confirmed that both Colin Doyle and Wayne Henderson will join the squad this week.

Manager Giovanni Trapattoni was forced to call up two replacement goalkeepers after Dean Kiely left the training camp last week and Kieren Westwood is due to get married.

Shay Given remains the number one and will almost certainly start the World Cup qualifier away to Bulgaria on Saturday, but back-up was needed.

Both Doyle and Henderson have skipped ahead of Scunthorpe United's Joe Murphy and Sheffield United's Paddy Kenny in earning re-calls despite not playing much club football this year.

Doyle helped Birmingham City to clinch promotion to the Premier League, but largely acted as an understudy to Maik Taylor. Nevertheless, the 23-year-old is very highly rated and will be delighted to have another chance to link up with the Irish squad.

Preston North End's Henderson only recently returned from a long-term injury, although he did enough in a loan spell with Grimsby Town to convince the Irish backroom team that he was ready to get back involved.

The two keepers will travel to Arsenal's training ground on Tuesday to join the squad as they prepare for the all-important trip to Sofia.